Malawi man knocked down in South Africa: Beaten with Sjambok on way to work

A 22-year old Malawian gardener Muhammed Makungwa was nearly ridden over by a BMW and then beaten with a sjambok by its driver as he was on his way to work in Claremont, Cape Town, South Africa on Sunday.

According to Cape Times, Makungwa suffered injuries to the head and bruises to his body, and was taken to  Omnicare Family Health Centre in Lansdowne for treatement.

Police confirmed the incident took place in Palmyra Road, Claremont, just before 7am .

“I got out of a taxi in Main Road and was running to work down Palmyra Road because I was late. Someone in a car started shouting at me, but I don’t understand English very well and could not understand what he was saying.

“I kept on running and he then tried to drive his car into me. I stopped and he got out and started whipping me with a sjambok. He just went crazy and didn’t give me a chance to explain myself,” he said.

“He was shouting at me and I could make out that he thought I had broken into his car. I tried to explain to him that I was on my way to work, but he just kept on hitting me. My lunch box fell as he was whipping me and that’s when he stopped. He then asked me where I worked and after I told him he took me to [my] employers,” said Makungwa, who left Malawi four months ago.

Makungwa said the attack left him fearing for his life:

“I’m very upset… Why would someone just start hitting another person? I was happy living in Cape Town, but this attack has made me scared for my life,” he said.

According to the Cape Argus on Tuesday, the man who attacked Makungwa was driving a BMW X5. His face, car and number plate were clearly visible on CCTV footage in possession of the police.

“According to Muhammed, he’s a dentist in Palmyra Road,” said Makungwa’s employer Nadia Kamies.

Kamies told the Cape Argus Makungwa had been booked off until Thursday, due to the injuries he sustained in the attack. He is recovering at home.

Oscar Namata, 39, also employed by Kamies, said: “The wound on his head is very deep. He also has a gash on his left shoulder and his knees are bruised.”

Police spokesman Frederick van Wyk confirmed an incident of assault is being investigated